Watch: Novak Djokovic Plays Tennis Outdoors To Flout Confinement Rules In Spain Amid COVID Crisis

Djokovic posted a video on Instagram showing him exchanging shots with another man at a tennis club in the coastal city of Marbella, where the Serb has reportedly stayed.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning a point during his Men's Singles Final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Reigning Australian Open champion and 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic apparently turned out to become a lockdown violator by visiting a tennis court and playing a bit of the sport on Monday, breaking confinement rules set by the Spainish government amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Djokovic posted a video on Instagram showing him exchanging shots with another man at a tennis club in the coastal city of Marbella, where the Serb has reportedly stayed. Djokovic filmed the video while hitting shots and wrote he was “so happy to play on clay .. well, just for a bit with my phone in the hands.” Spain on Monday loosened some of the lockdown measures that had been in place since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing professional athletes to return to practice. But sports facilities are supposed to remain closed at least until next week in most parts of the country, with the exception of training centers for teams in professional leagues in sports such as soccer. The federation’s statement did not appear to be related to Djokovic’s appearance on the court in Marbella. Requests for comment made to the federation and to Djokovic’s staff late on Monday were not immediately answered. It was not clear if Djokovic, the reigning Australia would be subjected to fines or sanctions if it was confirmed he broke the lockdown rules. The No. 1-ranked Djokovic recently said he was against taking an anti-coronavirus vaccination if it became mandatory to travel once the pandemic subsides, though he later said he was open to changing his mind.